Desk with apron



Sept. 23, 1958 R L, BASSETT 2,853,351

DESK WITH APRON Filed June l5, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 RUSSELL Lmr B xf TTORN EY sept 23 1958 R. L. BAssETT 2,853,351

DESK WITH APRON v Filed June l5, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.'

RUSSELL L .BASETT /TrTORN EY United States Patent DESK WITH APRON Russell L. Bassett, Whittier, Calif., assignor to Steelcase, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application June 15, 1955, serial No. 515,630

7 claims. (c1. 312-194) desk. The mounting of such equipment on desks' is usually necessary because of the lack of space for mounting such equipment in any other location. This is esv pecially true in 'a large oice room where there are several desks spaced throughout the room.

The installation of such equipment on oce desks,

especially telephone boxes, has heretofore created quite a problem and is usually a nuisance. Many desks are made of metal which necessitates drilling holes into the desk in order to install the telephone box. Very often this marks the desk and ruins its appearance. The greatest disadvantage in the present day method ofinstalling telephone boxes on desks is the time and trouble in removing the boxes when a desk is relocated or replaced. This necessitates Iremoving the box and installing it on (the new desk or disconnecting the wires to the box.

This invention is designed to provide a simple, convenient apparatus for installing electrical equipment on desks.

This invention also provides a simple, inexpensive and convenient apparatus for removably installing telephone boxes and similar equipment on desks.

This invention provides apparatus for a desk that permits permanent attachment of equipment to its support with or without the present of the desk.

In. accordance with this invention communications equipment is Iassembled independent of the office furniture on which it is to be supported and thereafter installation is made on such furniture either before or after the furniture is moved into the oldce.

This invention provides a pivoted apron for a desk,

such apron providing accessibility for installation of electrical equipment whereby the installation time and cost for such equipment is reduced.

Further, this invention facilitates concealment ,of equipment on a desk while at the same time providing easy accessibility to such equipment.

These and other objects and purposes of this invention will become `apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: J

Fig. 1 is an oblique view of a desk with the apron in closed position.

Fig. 2 is an oblique View of a desk with the apron open.

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged sectional elevation view taken along the plane III-III of Fig. 2.

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged, fragmentary view ofthe hinge structure for the pivoted apron.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, oblique view-of a modification apron hinge.

of this invention.

Referring specifically tothe drawings, Fig. 1 shows the front of a desk 10 which has `a top 11, and in this case, drawer wells 12 in which drawers (not shown) are usually mounted. Top 11 and drawer wells 12 are supported by legs 13. The structure of Itop, drawer wells, and legs lare all conventional and well known in the art.

The drawer wells 12 are spaced, forming a wide passage between them and beneath the top 11. At the Vfront. of this desk, the passage is closed by an apron 14. This apron is pivotally secured about its lower end between the drawer wells 12. v

Preferably, the desk of this invention as illustrated is made of metal construction. It should be understood,

however, that this invention can be applied to desks made r of material other than metal. The arrangement of the apron of this invention as it is pivoted on a desk is illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 shows desk 10 with Iapron 14 swung downwardly. Reference numeral 16 indicates a panel board on which electrical equipment to be mounted. In the open position of apron 14 panel board 16 can be easily inserted on the inside face of the apron by means of sliding the same in the channels formed by edges 17. From Fig. 2 it should be yapparent that the apron 14 is pivoted at its lower corners on brackets 25 located on corresponding corners of drawer wells 12. Panel board 16 is preferably made of wood but any type of material can be employed to which electrical equipment can be l secured. Therefore, plastic or metal can be used.

Apron 14, in this case, is constructed of sheet metal stock and its size and shape corresponds to the size and shape of the space between drawer wells 12. Preferably, apron 14, including the means for supporting panel board 16 is formed in one piece. This is best shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 discloses that apron 14 is formed of a single piece of sheet metal stock having its side edges 17 turned back at right angles to main panel 18. Edges 17 are formed into an S-shaped channel having recesses 35 and 19.l

The recess 35 forms a track in which board 16 slidesand is supported. Recess 19 seats the gasket 20. Gasket 20 provides a seal between the apron 14 and drawer wells 12 when the Iapron is in the upright closed potti-v tion. The means for supporting panel board 16` can constitute many different structures. Accordingly, the shape of panel board 16|will be varied correspondingly.

Apron 14, as shown in Fig. 2, also has at its top edge a flange 21 turned forwardly at right Iangles to panel 18 and having screw holes 27 for fastening apron 14 to the underside of desk top 11 in the upright position. Also at the top of apron 14 there is provided a cut-out portion 23 through which Wires from the telephone box can extend to a telephone located on the top of the desk. Cutout portion 23 has, on its edges, a gasket 24 made of rubber or other soft material which will prevent sharp edges from cutting the telephone lines.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show a hinge structure suitable forv trated in Fig. 5, comprises a curved plate 26 which conforms to the shape of the lower edges of ythe drawer wells '12. Screw holes 27a are provided through which the screws can be inserted for securing the bracket lto the drawer wells 12. Protruding from plate 26 is a.

stem or post 28 which is adapted to fit into the circular recess29 formed by the rolled tubular portion 30 of the V apron 14. The brackets 25 are fastened on the bottom back corners of each of the drawer 'wells 12 so that they lare adapted to support apron 14 at each of its lower corners. Accordingly, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, apron.

14 is adapted to pivot about its lower edge on posts 28 whichtare mountedy on the inner, lower corners of the drawer wells 12. The brackets 25 and the recesses 29 collectively constitute the hinge structure.

In assembling the apron on a conventional desk having.A two drawer wells or..other type of support on each sid@ thereofv the posts 28 .of brackets 25 are inserted in ther/circular recesses 29 of tubular portion 30. The brackets 25 are then attached to the bottom corners of drawer wells 12. In this position, apron 14 is pivotally mounted on brackets 25 and when swung downwardly, panel board 16 can be slidahlyv inserted in the track formed by the recesses 35 in the edges 17. Accordingly, when installing electrical equipment, it is iirst mounted on panel board-16. .The panel board 16 is then slid into the track recesses 35 provided by edges 17. When inserted into'position, as shown by the .dotted lines 15 oi Fig, 24 apron 14 is lifted and swung. upwardly into closed position-such as shown in Fig. .1. It is thenfastened in position by meansof screwsinserted` through holes 27.

Frequently, onefdesk is substituted for. another. In such cases, according to this invention, the apron is detached Vfrom the t0p11 and swung out and downwardly about the ,hinge structure, previously described. The panel board, 16 is-removed and vit is inserted in the apron of the new desk.

Oce desks today, although made inV different sizes, are usually modular or in standard increments. Accordingly; the aprons of thetdesks `are standardized in size` and` diifer in specific increments. of widths. For example, they may be made .in 4 inch modules in which case thel widths may be 24 inches, 2S inches, 32 inches, etc. ThisV invention adapts itself very well to such modules because the panel board 16 can be made to the smallest standard size Iand its length increased for larger sizes by adding one or more extension boards of modular sizes. In many cases, the apron of a replacement desk is the same size as the desk it replaces. In such cases, the same equipment panel board 16 can be utilized witho-ut varying, its length. In those cases where theapron of the replacement desk is widerthan the length of the equipment panel board, it can be lengthened by adding endy extensions. An'example of such extensions is shown in Fig. 6 wherein is shown theextension 30 added onto panel. board 16. The connection between .these two boards is preferably a tongue and groove. connection 31 whichY prevents the board from being bent at the joint. Extensions: 30 .can be, nradeof several modules so that boards 16 can lbe lengthened tocorrespond with standard sizes off aprons.

adding a selected extension board 30. For example, a standard 24 inch panel board -can be lengthened by adding extension boards of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 inches so that the panel board is lengthened to the modular 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34.inch. sizes respectively.

It should'be understood that in describing this invention, it has only been described in relation to the modification shown on the append-ed drawings. Various modifications can be made withoutV departing from the scope of this invention. For example, the edges 17 may be separate components attached to the basic apron panel. Any-arrangement. of channels or tracks for slidably and removably mounting panel board 16 can be used in this invention .without departingfromr the principle thereof. Also, anyhinge structure can be used in place of that disclosed herein..

My invention should be limitedonly to the extent as set forth 4in the appended claims.-

I claim.:

l.l Incombination with a desk having a top and spaced side support members forsupporting thetop, said spaced side, suport members providing a` passageway between them extendingv from the front of the deskto the back; anapron, having inside and outside faces, extending betweenl said` 'support members 'at the front of the desk and Asj `a result, the standard panel board 16, 'can be lengthened to anydesired .modular size by closing off at least a portion of said passageway; and means. for mounting said apron for atleast partial re moval from its position between said support members whereby access to the inside face of said apron can be obtained, and means on the inside face of said apron for removably supporting an equipment panel.

2. In combination with a desk having a top and side support members for supporting the top: an apron extending between said support members and having inside and outside faces, and means for mounting said apron for at least partial removal from its position between said support members whereby access to the inside face of said apron can be obtained, a flanged track on the inside face of said apron in which an equipment panel is adapted to slide and be supported.

3. In combination with a desk having a top and support members for supporting the top: an apron normally closingl at lleast a portion of the space between said support. members and having inside andoutside faces, and

meansy for pivotally mounting said apron on said desk, said apron having on'its inside face means forremovably supporting an equipment panel.

4. In combination with a desk havingA a top mounted on a pair of spaced drawer Wells: an apron normally extending between s'aid drawer wells to close at least a portion of the space between'said drawer wells and having inside-and outside faces, and meansl for pivotally mounting said apron on said drawerV wells near the bot tom edge thereof, and a anged track on the inside face of said apron in which an equipment panel is adapted to slide and be supported.

5. In combination with a desk havinga top and spaced support membersfor supporting the top: an'apron nor` mally closing at least a portion of theivspace between said support members and having insideV and outside faces, brackets mounting on each of said support members', means for pivotally mounting said apron nearits lower corners on said brackets, saidv apron' having on lits inner face means for'removably supporting'an equipmentparrel.

6. A desk having two support members andan apron pivotally supported between said. two support members, said apronV comprising a single sheet of metal'v stock steel bent at its side edges to provide a track for a panelv board; a rolled over portion at vits bottoml edge providing a cylindrical recess receiving posts-secured to saidsupport members for pivotally supporting said apron; and means at the -upper edge of said apron for iixedly attaching said upper edge to saidfdesk.-v

7. A desk having two side support members 'pivotally supporting an apron therebetween, said vapron comprising one sheet of metal bent at its side edges to provide a track for'a panel board and also reversibly bent back to provide a space for a gasket; a gasket mounted in said' space; said apron atfits lower edgei'being turned over to provide a cylindrical recess receiving -support posts secured to said support members forpivotal-ly supporting said apron; and means at the'upper edge of said apron for tixedly attaching said upper edge to said desk.

References Cited in the file of this patentV UNITED STATES PATENTS 498,178 Leonard Mayv 23, 1893 903,328 Shepard` Nov. 10, 1908 1,379,134 Steddom May 24, 1921 1,407,309 Victorsohn Feb. 21, 1922 2,133,127 Waterman Oct. 1l, 1938 2,276,635 Weber Mar. 17, 1942 2,299,409 Rathburn Oct. 20, 1942 2,426,055 Rundell Aug. 19, 1947 2,472,579 Freeman lune 7, 1949 2,633,398 McAllister Mar. 3.1, 1953 2,646,325 Abrahamson July 21, 1953 2,678,489 Ratzlaf May 18,v 1954 

